310 Proceedings, &e., 1866. 
been requested to report on, by the principal of Shaw’s College, 
Graham’s Town. Dr. Miieller referred to Drs. Harney and 
Sounder, eminent Phytographers. 
Professor M‘Coy agreeing with the paper of Dr. Mueller, also bore 
testimony to the merit of Dr. Harney, who had himself drawn and 
lithographed the whole of the magnificient illustrations for his work 
on Natural History. 
In reply to some inquiries, Dr. Mueller said that he considered 
all unscientific names as ambiguous, and liable to misconstruction. 
The Senecio was known under the name of the Duke of Bedford, a 
name given to it from the great interest His Grace had taken in 
horticultural pursuits. It was easily distinguished by its leaves, 
long and broad, quite white, and woolly underneath. 
The President then read a paper by Mr. Shiress of Sandhurst, 
on the “ Decomposition of Pyrites.” Mr. Shiress proposed to 
decompose the pyrites by wood heated in direct contact with the 
pyrites. Oe 
This paper gave rise to a long and animated discussion. 
Professor M‘Coy could not conceive what Mr. Shiress meant by 
asserting that by heating pyrites, sulphite of carbon would be pro- 
duced. Sulphuric acid might be obtained, and in time of war 
pyrites had often been mixed with charcoal to supply the place of 
sulphur. He had grave doubts as to the results stated, and thought 
the cost of fuel ought also to be considered. 
Mr. Shiress (who was present as a visitor) defended the results 
stated in the paper arrived at, but generally abandoned all the 
questions on which he had been pressed by Professor M‘Coy. Mr. 
Shiress exhibited several specimens of tailings from which, by his 
process, 3 ounces to the ton had been obtained, but which, under the 
old plan, had yielded but 4 dwts. 
In answer to other enquiries, Mr. Shiress said that by using 
quicksilver and water, from some of the tailings produced, 12 ounces 
to the ton had been obtained. 
Professor M‘Coy, and Mr. Cosmo Newbery, still doubted the 
correctness of the theory, but Mr. Shiress resolutely maintained that 
under his mode of operation, the yield had been as stated. In 
reply to Mr. Crooke he said the quantity of wood used was about 
twice the bulk of the stone. The stone should be broken to 
the size of road metal, any stone by his plan would yield 5 to 1 on 
its present return. 
Mr. Aplin and the previous speakers dissenting, Mr. J. B. Were 
trusted, as the matter was really of very great importance, that 
the members present would give their opinions freely. 
The President said the main issue was whether the results obtained 
were as Mr. Shiress stated. He agreed with Professor M‘Coy and 
the other speakers as to the non-production of sulphide of carbon. 
Mr. Crooke said the burning of pyrites was no new plan, and, 
